+3 Interview: Richard Carpenter is Close to You

“I’ve had more Edinburghs than boyfriends. In fact, Edinburgh is my boyfriend.”

WHO: Matthew Floyd Jones, Performer/Writer

WHAT:“Richard from The Carpenters used to be on top of the world looking down on creation, to the left of (and slightly behind) Karen. Now, he’s back at the piano once more in this razor-sharp tragicomedy that takes you on the ultimate ticket to ride. Cos solitaire really is the only game in town! Written and performed by Matthew Floyd Jones, the piano player from Frisky & Mannish.”

I’ve had more Edinburghs than boyfriends. In fact, Edinburgh is my boyfriend. In a Bill Sikes-Nancy way. Like, as long as Edinburgh needs me, I know where I must be, in spite of what you see, I’m sure that Edinburgh needs me. My biggest success at the Fringe was in 2011 when I sold out the purple cow with my dear friend Frisky, and we were on the cover of magazines everywhere. It was a golden era of musical comedy infotainment!

Tell us about your show.

I wrote Richard Carpenter is Close to You, I’m producing it, and I brought the company together by begging my favourite past collaborators to help me. Luckily I know a ton of brilliant people. The production has been on a preview tour since May, playing Brighton, Birmingham, Leeds, Oxford, Manchester, Buxton, Bristol and York, so it’s REALLY REALLY ready now…

It’s a comedy/theatre piece about the innermost thoughts of Richard Carpenter, who is now my hero but used to represent the worst fears I had about myself. If you saw Frisky & Mannish, you’ll know what I mean. I’m definitely a Richard, not a Karen. This show depicts the frustrations I’ve faced coming to terms with that fact, but also the joy of realising that that’s ok, and that the world needs Richards too.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

See a sunrise from Arthur’s Seat, or see a sunset from the Castle – see something of Edinburgh while you’re here, because it’s such a beautiful city. Then see Kate If You Wanna Go Butcher.

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